Top 5 A/W Nail Varnishes

Hi!

I am a self-confessed nail varnish addict, so I thought I'd share this obsession with you all with a post on my top five autumn/winter nail varnishes (in no particular order).

#1 Topshop Bomber
A super dark brown-toned plum that can look almost black. I rarely have complaints about Topshop nail varnishes as the colours and formulas are everything I look for. 

#2 Rimmel Black Cab

Black is a staple colour that goes with almost every outfit, especially for autumn/winter as it's the darkest you can get. This one (as it's part of the Lasting Finish range stays on really well which is essential for me as I hate chipped nails more than anything!). 

#3 American Apparel Hunter

Believe it or not my dad chose this colour for me when on a business trip (I know?!), and I think that it's a perfect colour for this time of year. It takes a bit of consideration to work out what colours to wear with this forest green, but when it works it really works. 

#4 Topshop Rainy Day

This lavender grey is perfect all year round, but I feel like it's particularly good for these seasons as it fits nicely with the monochrome outfits and dark colours I am wearing a lot currently. It is also a nice sophisticated, lighter alternative to the darker colours I've featured in this post.

#5 Rimmel Celebrity Bash

I always feel powerful in red nail varnish, so it's an absolute essential for my collection. This colour is the perfect classy red for autumn/winter as it's more on the burgundy side, opposed to some other brighter reds that I save for the warmer months. An added bonus of this one is the brush which is extra wide so it applies the colour very evenly and easily. 

❀Have a lovely day❀

December/Christmas Wishlist

Hi!

It's that time of the month again! Except this time it is a festive edition as it is my Christmas wishlist. It's very long - although I'm sure I'll add to it over the next few weeks -  so I won't go into detail about all the items. As per usual all photos are from the shops' websites.

Topshop Underwear - Bras £18, Pants £8



Black and Nude Plunge Bra

Black and Nude Low Rise Ladypants

Red Balconette Bra

Red Brazilian Thong

Topshop Shoes - £38 

Topshop Faux Fur Stole - £28

ASOS Grey T-Shirt Dress - £14.99

MAC Mineralize Rich Lipstick in Lush Life - £20 (described on the website as a 'deep cool plum')

MAC Blushers 

Mineralize Blush in New Romance - £21                           Powder Blush in Breezy - £18

MAC Eyeshadows - £13 each (left to right: Honey Lust, Star Violet, Sketch)

                                                               

Topshop Lipstick in Naturist - £8

NARS Eyeliner Pencil in Manon (purple) - £16

Benefit Products: Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Foundation - £26.50, Gimme Brow - £17.50, Watts Up - £24.50 

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Concealer - £25

Abercrombie and Fitch Fierce Cologne for Men - £46-£118 (dependent on size)

Chloe Eu De Parfum - £44.50

Urban Outfitters Black Top - £18

Urban Outfitters Necklace Set - £14

Zara A-Line White Skirt - £29.99

ASOS Grey V-Neck Jumper - £45

American Apparel Long Sleeve Off-Shoulder Top - £26

American Apparel Underwire White Skater Dress - £48

Books:

The Sartorialist by Scott Schuman

In Vogue: The Illustrated History of the World's Most Famous Magazine (2012) by Alberto Oliva and Norbeto Angeletti

The Little Black Book of Style

How to be Parisian Wherever You Are: Love, Style, and Bad Habits

Thanks for sticking with me through this maaaaassive wishlist! Hope you enjoyed it. 

❀Have a lovely day❀

Everyday Makeup Routine

Hi! 

Today I'm going to run through my everyday (or rather weekend/holiday) makeup routine. During the week I'm at school so I don't go all out on eyeliner, eyeshadow, lip products, etc.. I do change what I do from day-to-day, e.g different extremes of eyeliner, eyeshadow colours, lipstick colours and blush colours, but for this post I kept it reasonably simple for a normal day. 

I am aware I look very orange and very sad in these photos, but I promise I am neither (blame poor lighting and the awkwardness of taking photos of yourself with minimal makeup on - the horror!).

Step 1: Prep

I start by using Nivea Lip Butter in Rasberry Rose and Garnier Moisture Match Moisturiser for Dry to Very Dry Skin on my lips, face and neck to prep myself for makeup and give my skin protection from the sun and winter weather. I use a heavy moisturiser overnight which is why I use a lighter one for daytime.

Step 2: Cover 

Here I use Yves Saint Laurent Fusion Foundation (reviewed in my last post) which I blend in using my fingers. For my foundation I alternate between this and Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Foundation. After my foundation I use Benefit Erase Paste to conceal under my eyes and Benefit Boi-ing Concealer for spots and blemishes. I set this all with Benefit Hello Flawless Powder using a Sephora Fluffy Brush (I don't know the actual name, but I think that's the most accurate description of it)

Step 3: Contour and Highlight

 Pre Blending of Cheekbone Bronzer

Contouring is one of the most important stages (in my opinion) in my makeup routine. It gives me some shape and definition in my face which I think overall makes one look more striking and using blusher and highlighter makes me look lively, because nobody wants to look like they've just been dragged out of a coffin. To contour my cheekbones, temples, under my nose and around my jaw, chin and forehead I use Benefit Hoola Bronzer with a MAC 168 Brush. I blend this with my Sephora Fluffy Brush (mentioned earlier). For blush I alternate between Nars Orgasm and Benefit Dandelion, today I'm using Benefit. I apply this with my MAC Blush Brush (again I don't know the number or name, this time because it has rubbed off). To highlight I use a highlighter I bought in Tesco (very specific I know, the brand may be called Along Came Betty, but don't count on that). I apply it straight to my cheekbones then blend with my fingers.

Step 4: Brows

Another vital part of the routine - for strong brows I brush them into shape with the Real Techniques Lash-Brow Groomer then fill with Benefit Brow Zings. 

Step 5: Eyes

By far the most time consuming and irritating step (it pays off though). I start by putting the light grey eyeshadow from the Rimmel Glam Eyes Palette in Foggy Grey on the outer corner of my eyelid (staying close to the lashes) and under my eyes on the outer corner... if that makes any sense. Next I use the champagne colour to highlight on my brow bone. For eyeliner I use Maybelline Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner with my MAC 210 Brush. Today I'm doing a flick and taking some liner slightly underneath the eye. To open up my eyes I use a Maybelline Expression Kajal White Pencil Liner on the waterlines. To finish off I curl my lashes then use Bourjois Paris Volume 1 Seconde Mascara in Black on the top lashes and MAC Opulash in Black on the bottom.

Step 6: Lips

Today I'm using Maybelline Colour Sensational Lipstick in Coffee Craze which is a lovely dark-browney nude, perfect for Autumn/Winter.

Final procuct: 

Hopefully you enjoyed this ridiculously long post! 

❀Have a lovely day❀

Yves Saint Lauren Fusion Foundation Review

Hi!

Rating: 9/10                 Price: £30.50
Recently I bought the (reasonably) new YSL fusion foundation that I had been wanting for weeks and I am not disappointed. I had had a tester before buying the full size for which the woman working at the counter helped to choose my colour which matches perfectly to my skin. The coverage is good, especially as the consistency is quite thin, and because of you can't feel it sitting on your skin and you can't see it either (if you blend it in well, obviously). I was originally worried that my skin would look very dull as the finish is matte, but it is still so brightening and makes my skin look radiant. It's a beautiful foundation to apply as well because the feel becomes almost velvety as you rub it in. Overall I am very pleased with this foundation and think it is totally worth the money. My only minor issue with it is that for full coverage you need to use more product than I normally would with other foundations. However this doesn't bother me too much as you get a lot of product and I don't feel like I'm wasting it or using it up too quickly.

❀Have a lovely day❀

November Wishlist

Hi! 

Firstly, I am aware it's been a month since my last post and - although I'm not sure whether or not there's anyone out there reading (thanks if you are!) - I'm going to try from now on to at least make fortnightly posts, if not weekly. 

Once again it's time for another wishlist! I love autumn/winter clothes so this month is particularly exciting and you'll probably see a lot of similarities/trends in all the clothes I choose. Enjoy!

Motel Rocks Swallow Tail Slip Dress in Crackle Black/Crackle Rose Gold, £35- This dress is beautiful and especially perfect for the upcoming festive season. As much as the fabric makes this dress quite fancy, the relaxed shape means it can be easily dressed down too. For a party I would wear this with black tights, heels and gold jewellery ( but only jewellery with the black dress). If I were to wear this more casually I would wear it with converse and a cardigan or denim jacket with simple makeup. The gold is more difficult to dress down but it's a beautiful colour and I also really individual as it's rare to see clothes that are completely gold. 

 























Topshop Shrunken Cable Sweater, £42- Obviously everyone needs at least one jumper for A/W, and if you're only ever going to own one this should be it. This length is perfect as it is neither too oversized or too cropped and grey goes with almost every colour so it will go with all skirts and trousers. There isn't too much to say about it as it is just a grey jumper, but it's a staple so I had to include it.

Topshop KIND Suede Lace Up Shoes, £48- These shoes are the perfect balance between casual and making an effort. I really like chunky shoes throughout autumn/winter because I think they look good with every outfit and can make them look more season appropriate. I never usually wear shoes quite as masculine as these but as I wear skirts a lot the contradiction will work well. Also, for shoes like these the price is really good so they're definitely a worthwhile buy. 

ASOS Leather Triple Zip Clutch Bag, £35- Clutch bags are always useful and don't believe anyone who tries to tell you otherwise. Simple black leather clutch bags like this are especially useful as they go with everything and can be used casually to carry a few essentials instead of carrying a big bag or as an accessory for a party outfit. 

 

Hopefully you liked this very monochrome and shorter than usual wishlist! All photos used are from the shops' websites.

❀Have a lovely day❀

October Wishlist

Hi!

It's pretty much been a month since my September wishlist and, as I'm doing one a month, now it's time for my October wishlist! So, here are some items I'm looking to get/wish I could get for next month...

Topshop New Big Felt Floppy Hat (Black), £28- Unfortunately this is the kind of item that will never leave the wishlist and make it to my wardrobe, but I'm featuring it anyway because it is just so lovely. I really love these hats and always think anyone wearing one looks 10x cooler, but I just can't pull these hats off. Also I have no idea where I would wear this, other than the occasional trip to London, so I can't quite justify getting one.

Topshop Crepe Shift Dress in Burgundy, £45- I love this dress because it's the kind of item that looks like it can be dressed up, but also really dressed down. The colour is lovely, especially for A/W when I'm always on the look out for burgundy clothes to buy. It is quite expensive but it looks good quality and it's the kind of thing I would wear a lot because there are so many ways you can style it.

Brandy Melville UK Kolfinna Top, £25- I've been looking for something exactly like this for so long!!!!!!!!! I'm so into t-shirt dresses and I've been trying to look for the perfect one and here it is! The fact it's dark grey makes it look a little more casual looking than totally black and also makes it easier to transition into spring. However as it is meant to be a t-shirt you can see from the photos it's a little short so I would consider getting a size up.

Urban Outfitters Light Before Dark Crop Turtle-Neck Tee in Grey, £18- For what it is this top is amazing value, especially as it's also from UO. I think this is a really nice basic top that's really sophisticated and, despite looking a little tricky to style, will look really good when you get the outfit right. I think I would style this with a black American Apparel skater skirt, black shoes, lots of thin silver necklaces and my tartan scarf.

Vagabond Grace Padded Ankle Boots in Black (through Urban Outfitters), £80- If I wasn't so self conscience about my height I'd do anything to make sure these shoes were mine by tomorrow, but unfortunately I am and with a heel height of around 3 inches these boots wouldn't help. However I'm kind of considering putting them on my Christmas wishlist (yes, I am already thinking that far ahead) because they really are beautiful... I love chunky shoes like these and I think they look amazing with jeans and skirts, and I can imagine them looking really good with the Brandy Melville t-shirt dress mentioned earlier, lots of jewellery and the Topshop coat I styled in a previous blog post.

Topshop Faux Fox Fur Stole, £25- Every autumn/winter I develop a love for anything fur, and this year is no exception. Fur stoles I think are most useful as you can add them to most outfits rather than being confined to having only one item of clothing with fur on it. Personally I don't believe in killing animals for their fur so I would definitely get a faux fur stole like this Topshop one opposed to a real fur one. I think this would look really cool over my grey coat for winter, or my denim jacket.

Hope you enjoyed my picks for the coming month, and as always let me know if there's a specific blog post/type of post you want me to do. 

❀Have a lovely day❀

P.S. Sorry for having no post last Friday! Getting back into the routine of school etc. got me a little busy but from now on I will (try) to be on time!

Perfection/Pressure from the Media

Hi! 

BEFORE YOU READ note that I my opinion on this topic may be seen as controversial so please don't get angry with me! I'm obviously open to constructive and coherent responses but don't comment anything super aggressive or whatever, I just want to voice an opinion on a topic that interests me, thank you! 

Magazines and companies are constantly being bombarded with complaints about the choice of models for their issues/campaigns and how it puts pressure on people to be perfect and that the images used are unrealistic. Most people would agree with that, but my view is slightly different. 

For this though, I'm not necessarily referencing arguments about the need to use more plus sized models as that's almost a totally different debate - but I may touch on it. Generally, my opinion can be summarised by a quote from Alexandra Schulman (editor-in-chief, Vogue UK) on the topic: 

‘I think Vogue is a magazine that’s all about fantasy to some extent and dreams, and an escape from real life. ... People don’t want to buy a magazine like Vogue to see what they see when they look in the mirror. They can do that for free.’

For some people this quote may be hard to accept but, personally, I can see total sense in it! Realistically, do you buy high end magazines such as Vogue to look at potential purchases for next season? Unless you're unbelievably rich or in denial the answer will be no, you look at it for either inspiration from designer brands that you can incorporate into your high street wardrobe or to admire the almost unrealistically perfect models and the laughably expensive accessories (we can all dream, right?). Vogue is a fantasy magazine and I read it to imagine my ideal life and ideal face, but I don't let the images get to me. I know that's easier said than done but it takes getting comfortable with yourself and the way you look and learning to know that you look good to be able to accept the unattainable 'perfection' in Vogue or clothing campaigns. 

Furthermore, the industries of fashion and media are all about aesthetics so why would they not want the most aesthetically pleasing models selling their products for them? Now that I've learned to accept my flaws and good qualities, I enjoy looking at beautiful people just to appreciate it (creepy sounding but I mean well). 

Advertising is another area that is criticised for it's use of 'perfect' models that make the general public feel bad about themselves, but I think: why would they not use the people everyone wants to be to sell their clothes? That's one of the biggest tricks of fashion advertising their is - creating appeal by giving the impression of the perfect life that comes with their products. It's about marketing and business, not evoking self-loathing. 

So overall, even if you don't agree with me hopefully you can get one thing out of this post and that is if you learn to love yourself and become totally comfortable with all you are, the so called 'pressure of perfection' from the media doesn't affect you as much by a long stretch.

That's all I'm going to leave you with, food for thought hopefully? I know this isn't my most concise or coherent post I just had a lot of ideas I wanted to get out at once. 

❀Have a lovely day❀

Outfit of the Day

Hi! 

Sorry that this post is on a Saturday not a Friday! Anyone coming back to the blog may have noticed that I've got into the habit of posting on Fridays so apologies if you were expecting a post yesterday - as I'm back at school now and had a meal out with friends after I didn't have time to do a post. 

This is the outfit I wore today, it's nothing super special as I got ready in a rush and was only having breakfast out with some family and then doing some food shopping. I also tried a new eye make up look today (which, for anyone who knows me, is a massive shock as I always do gel liner flicks) using black pencil liner and black eyeshadow. I'm not going to go into detail on my make up as I will most likely do a post specifically on my everyday make up very soon. 

THE OUTFIT

Top- Topshop, £12

Skirt- American Apparel, £46

Jacket- Topshop, £55

Belt- Topshop, £22

Choker- Charms U Cherish, £3

❀Have a lovely day❀